Corinthia Grand Hotel du Boulevard Bucharest officially opens its doors on Monday, March 24. Owned by Niro Investment Group and managed by Corinthia Hotels, Grand Hotel Boulevard Bucharest will be the first luxury boutique hotel opened in Romania under the exclusive Corinthia brand.
Nestled at the intersection of Calea Victoriei and Regina Elisabeta Boulevard, Corinthia Grand Hotel du Boulevard Bucharest is more than just a hotel—it is a journey through history and elegance. As Romania’s first hotel, it introduced innovations such as elevators, running water, and electricity before the city’s roads were even built.
Corinthia Bucharest combines the historical grandeur of the Belle Epoque period with the comfort and refinement of modern times. Inaugurated in 1873, the hotel has witnessed events of cultural importance and hosted emblematic personalities, including members of the royal family.
The hotel features an exclusive collection of 30 suites, complemented by a trio of distinctive dining experiences – Boulevard 73, Sass’ Restaurant & Lounge, a coveted outpost from its Monaco original, and the refined Heritage Bar. Corinthia Spa, featuring 111SKIN, offers results-driven skincare and wellness treatments, while elegant event spaces provide an exceptional setting for private gatherings and executive meetings.
The hotel also accommodates the historic “Grand Ballroom”, bar-lounge, brasserie, spa, beauty salon and fitness room, florist as well as private conference rooms. The hotel is intended for business people, those who travel for pleasure, as well as those who want to spend quality time in an exceptional setting, unique in Romania.
“Corinthia Grand Hotel Boulevard Bucharest is a unique project, reinterpreting luxury, through which a historic building is brought back to life, raising it to Corinthia standards of comfort, excellence and elegance. Every detail of the prototype apartment has been meticulously thought out and implemented to provide the most faithful representation of the style, comfort and amenities that we want to apply to the entire hotel, while ensuring that all the criteria of excellence specific to the international luxury brand Corinthia are met”, said Jean Pierre Mifsud, General Manager, Corinthia Grand Hotel Boulevard Bucharest.
“The reopening of the Grand Hotel du Boulevard represents one of our major projects in the hospitality industry, along with the opening of Swissotel in the northern area of Bucharest and, more recently, the start of the large-scale construction project of a luxury resort in the Maldives archipelago. We are proud to have as a partner in this project Corinthia, one of the most exclusive and refined international brands in the luxury hotel industry. The opening of the first Corinthia hotel in Romania will be another premiere for Niro Investment Group, which in recent years has focused on strategic and innovative projects in the hospitality sector”, said Christophe Chamboncel, Head of Hospitality and Development, Niro Investment Group.
The grandeur of the hotel is reflected in its original architectural details, carefully restored to their former glory. The marble staircase, crafted from Ruschita marble, remains in its original form, while statues recovered from historic facades add to the hotel’s timeless charm.
Inside, guests are welcomed by a stunning UK-designed mural in the lobby, located beside a beautifully restored 1900s piano—an homage to Queen Maria, who once hummed a tune here at the hotel’s grand opening.
A tapestry, meticulously restored in the UK, incorporates traditional Romanian war-time handkerchiefs and 10,000 pearls, creating a mesmerizing visual effect.
“We wanted to create a room design that evokes the feeling of home. The hotel is focused on customized service—we offer experiences, not just a hotel room. We also aim to promote Romania, not just Corinthia, by crafting unique travel experiences for foreign guests. For instance, we provide special experiences such as helicopter trips to the Bear Sanctuary”, said Elena Nazarovici, Commercial Manager of the Corinthia Grand Hotel du Boulevard.
Rates start at €580 per night, with bespoke experiences reaching up to €2,500, ensuring an unparalleled stay in the heart of Bucharest.
Exclusive trio dining experience
The hotel features three dining experiences – Boulevard 73, Sass’ Restaurant & Lounge, a coveted outpost from its Monaco original, and the refined Heritage Bar.
Sass’ Restaurant & Lounge, baroque opulent setting
The Sass’ Restaurant & Lounge brings the legendary Sass’ Café Monte Carlo to Bucharest, offering a speakeasy-style lounge and a restaurant serving Mediterranean specialties, and the finest of global ingredients, such as Wagyu beef and caviar, alongside expertly crafted cocktails, in an opulent, baroque-inspired setting. The maximalist interiors feature plush velvet seating, delicate gilded accents, and elegant leopard-print touches.
As the evening unfolds, the ambiance shifts from sophisticated dining to lively revelry, with live musicians setting the tone before transitioning into DJ performances with immersive background beats—creating an unforgettable culinary experience that extends beyond the plate.
Occupying what was formerly the hotel’s grand ballroom, known for hosting some of the city’s most elegant social events from the late 19th Century onwards, Boulevard 73 is a sophisticated tribute to the rich culinary traditions of France and Romania. Embracing farm-to-table philosophy, the restaurant sources the finest seasonal ingredients, offering classic signature dishes alongside the Chef’s inspired creations, with an ever-evolving fine-dining menu that reflects both classic and contemporary interpretations of these two gastronomic heritages.
The grandeur of the restaurant, with its soaring ceiling and intricate chandeliers combine historical sophistication with a contemporary twist. Moreover, the original marble was preserved in restaurant area, like in other spots across the heritage building,
According to the hotel’s representatives, no online reservations are available for the restaurant area, arguing the hotel has “the power of choosing their guests”.
Heritage Bar offers a refined setting where guests can relax, socialise, and enjoy artfully mixed cocktails. With a striking fireplace on one side and a beautifully designed bar on the other, the space exudes timeless elegance.
By day, Heritage Bar is the perfect place for a coffee break, offering a selection of sweet and savoury treats alongside an extensive beverage menu.
As evening falls, the Heritage Bar transforms into a lively place for a chic aperitivo, where drinks are paired with a carefully curated selection of light bites, becoming an essential destination in the hotel for socialising.
The representatives of the hotel told us the are of the Heritage Bar used to accommodate a book store in the past, at the building’s early times.
Architectural treasure preserved: a living tribute to history
Nestled in the heart of Bucharest since 1873, the Grand Hotel du Boulevard was built by renowned jeweller, Jacques Herdan, and designed by Romania’s foremost architect, Alexandru Orăscu. This neoclassical masterpiece quickly became a centerpiece of high society in the Romanian Capital.
From its earliest days, the hotel introduced groundbreaking amenities, including running water in 1877, electric lighting in 1904, and the city’s first elevators in 1912. The grand salon, inaugurated in 1905, became the epitome of Belle Époque elegance, hosting illustrious balls, diplomatic receptions, and art exhibitions featuring works from masters like Titian and Watteau.
Over the decades, the Grand Hotel du Boulevard welcomed iconic guests, from Emperor Franz Josef to Romania’s cultural elite, including poets Tudor Arghezi and Octavian Goga. Its history is intertwined with landmark moments, such as hosting Queen Victoria’s birthday celebration and Constantin Brâncuși’s stay in 1924.
Having weathered wars, restorations, and the passage of time, the hotel remains an enduring symbol of Bucharest’s vibrant history and cultural heritage. This Belle Époque Monument will be a living museum, a cultural landmark, and a symbol of Bucharest’s enduring charm and promising future.